Manners

How Courtesy Affects The Bottom Line

The Ticket To Respect

February 17, 1991|By Suzanne McNamara.

Police departments across Du Page County have learned that courteous behavior, and thus positive community relations, not only improves public image but also enhances their law enforcement capabilities.

Officer John Mitchell, a public relations police officer for the Oak Brook Police Department, has seen the public`s opinion of police officers improve tremendously in his 21 years as a police officer.

``I started as a police officer in Chicago in 1969,`` said Mitchell, who has been with the Oak Brook Police Department since 1973. ``I think that public image kind of runs in cycles. Back when I first started, the public view was not at a very good point.

``Years ago, you used to get a middle-aged police officer, not very respectfully dressed, and not looking physically fit.``

The policeman`s poor physical appearance and lack of higher education created a lack of confidence in the police, according to Mitchell.

``In the past, there was public apathy toward the police, a feeling of

`What am I going to call the police for?` Today people trust that the police will respond to calls and handle themselves courteously.

``In the last few years, more and more departments are recruiting by looking at the background and education of the candidates,`` Mitchell said.

``The departments are looking at what type of person the candidate is. This in-depth recruiting process gets a police officer that is a much more well-rounded individual.``

Mitchell said that a high percentage of Oak Brook police officers have bachelor`s degrees in criminal justice, and several officers have master`s degrees as well.

Mitchell also said that the police officer today is better educated in public courtesy. New recruits receive extensive training in public awareness and proper police conduct at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield. Though the average citizen`s encounter with a police officer may stem from negative circumstances, a courteous police officer can separate himself from the unfortunate situation in the citizen`s mind.

``Initially a person feels a bit of remorse about his contact with a police officer if the officer is there to give a ticket or is responding to a call at the person`s home,`` Mitchell said. ``But today, officers are conducting themselves as gentlemen.``